2008 Woodie Awards
"Dames" Commandeers Horeshoe Theatre
Tammy Funicello
Issue date: 11/9/05 Section: Valley Life
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"Dames at Sea," set in the 1930s, but written in the 1970s tells the story of a girl named Ruby (played by Chavonne Rees) who travels to New York by bus from Utah because she is determined to be on Broadway. When she gets up there, she meets a sailor named Dick (Daniel Zrike) and they fall in love.
Through song-and-dance numbers we see not only three different relationships develop, but how they all came together and put on a Broadway show.
The cast of 10 did a remarkable job of not only singing, but tapping as well, especially since some cast members didn't even know how to tap when they started rehearsals.
The tap dancers, led by Dillon Zrike (see profile at right), helped keep the show moving with their lively precision.
Lorin Henner was a standout, playing two large roles, Hennesey the director of the Broadway show, and the ship's captain, who won over the hearts of the women in the audience.
The show, directed and choreographed by Cathy Pyles, featured 16 energetic musical numbers, including "Wall Street," "Broadway Baby" and "The Beguine."
Accompanying the singers were pianist Alby Potts and drummer Ray Frisbee. Their spot-on playing highlighted the excellent voices of the cast and brought the entire musical together.
All the songs were great, but "Raining in My Heart," sung by Ruby was a favorite, especially because of the umbrellas the cast used as props.
The numbers by Mona Kent (Carly Turner) such as "That Mister Man of Mine" were also all very good because of her outstanding voice.
The nearly two-hour show was a light-hearted look back into the 1930s that was well-put together and made for an entertaining evening.
After this show wraps, the theater department is signing off for the semester. Next year's musical has already been planned, however. Kander and Ebb's "Steel Pier" will run next March 31 and April 1, 7 and 8.
